What is being advertised as one of the more wide-open renewals of the BMW Hong Kong Derby became even more interesting Thursday when likely favorite Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) drew gate 12 in a field of 14 for the richest domestic race on the calendar.
After nearly having his Derby campaign derailed by a heart irregularity, the bay punched his ticket to the race with a hard-fought victory over recent Hong Kong Macau Trophy H. hero Arpinati (GB) (Lucky Story) over 1600 meters Feb. 15. An impressive six from nine in his career, he will try a distance over a mile for the first time, and trainer John Size knows the task at hand became a little more complicated Thursday.
“Luger will have to get going from there,” said Size, who will also saddle Hong Kong Classic Cup hero Thunder Fantasy (Aus) (Lucky Owners {NZ} and Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet). “He won't be able to be too relaxed, he'll have to go forward and show some sort of pace to cross those horses, but I think he's capable.”
Size, who sent out the upset-minded Fay Fay (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}) to win the 2012 Derby, calls upon second-leading rider Zac Purton to work out the right trip Sunday afternoon.
Douglas Whyte, currently third in the jockeys' premiership, has taken off of Luger in favor of Giant Treasure (Mizzen Mast) for trainer Richard Gibson and owner Pan Sutong, the same connections responsible for 2013 Derby hero Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). A full-brother to the Bobby Frankel-trained/Juddmonte owned and bred MGSW & GISP Jibboom, the grey gelding has acquitted himself well in the 4-year-old series, finishing third to Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and third to Thunder Fantasy and Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) in the Classic Cup over 1800 meters last time. He drew nicely in stall seven and is one of three in the race for Gibson, who will also tighten the girth around Got Fly (Fr) (Early March {GB}, gate four) and Sutong's Obliterator (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}, barrier two).
Beauty Only will try to give Hong Kong legend Tony Cruz a third Derby success and will attempt to provide a rare double for his sire, who also accounted for Designs On Rome (Ire) last March. The blaze-faced bay, who drew the five hole for Sunday's feature, was slightly disappointing when fourth as the 8-5 favorite in the Classic Cup last time, but leave him out at your own risk, says jockey Neil Callan.
“People obviously have short memories, that was a good effort,” Callan told South China Morning Post, referring to the Classic Cup. “It had rained and, even though the track was rated good, it was a bit tacky underfoot. He doesn't want it too firm, but he is better on top of the ground.”
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